3 observations after the Sixers narrow victory over Jazz to win Game 9 of last 12 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

For the first time in the 2024-25 season, the Sixers can say they have a three-game winning streak.

They overtook the Jazz on Saturday night, earning a 114-111 win at Utah and are 12-17 on the year. The Sixers have won nine of their last twelve games.

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 32 points. Paul George had a subpar shooting game for the fifth straight season (13 points on 4-for-11 shooting) and struggled with foul trouble, but he did notch a season-high five steals.

Lauri Markkanen scored 23 points and Collin Sexton and Brice Sensabaugh each scored 20 for the Jazz, who fell to 7-23.

The Sixers were without Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain) and Eric Gordon (oral surgery). Utah’s Keyonte George, John Collins and Taylor Hendricks were sidelined with injuries.

Embiid played after being listed as questionable with a label of left ankle sprain and right sinus fracture – mask.

The Sixers will continue their West Coast momentum to end the year when they play the Trail Blazers on Monday night. Here are observations from their win over Utah:

Nothing beats the Sixers starting in Boston

Despite playing with the same starting lineup, the Sixers were unable to repeat the success of their Christmas Day win over the Celtics in the first quarter.

George opened the scoring with a top three-pointer, displacing Vince Carter for ninth place on the NBA’s list of best three-pointers. (George passed Carter as he sank a three-pointer early in the third quarter.)

After that first basket from George, the Jazz went on a 12-0 run. The Sixers lacked energy, settled for multiple jumpers and allowed five early offensive rebounds to the Jazz, who were among the NBA’s best teams in that regard. As the Sixers switched to zone defense, Markkanen knocked down a corner three-pointer to give Utah a 23-9 lead.

Embiid picked up two early fouls on Jazz center Walker Kessler, who picked up four fouls in the first half. However, the Sixers superstar missed a few good appearances in and around the paint in the first quarter.

On the Sixers side, Kelly Oubre Jr. also picked up two fouls in his first stint. The Maxey-Oubre starting backcourt was scoreless until two free throws by Maxey with 16.9 seconds left in the first quarter.

Dominant second quarter for Maxey and Embiid

The Maxey-Embiid pair took control of the game in the second quarter and worked well together on almost every offensive possession.

The Sixers countered Utah’s pressure on one play by having Embiid set a flare screen for Maxey and the All-Star guard hit a three-pointer. After Maxey passed Embiid on the short roll, the big man found Oubre cutting the baseline for a layup.

Both Embid and Maxey were also very effective at drawing fouls. They shot a total of 14 for 16 at the free throw line in the first half. Meanwhile, the Jazz as a team attempted just two free throws in the first two quarters.

Maxey and Embiid didn’t do it all alone. For good reason, Guerschon Yabusele played almost eleven minutes straight in his first stint. He grabbed two offensive rebounds after missed free throws in the first half and added seven points on 2-for-2 shooting, including a corner three.

George grabbed his fourth steal after a clever sneak attack double team on Markkanen. He then threw a behind-the-back fastbreak to Maxey, whose left-handed hammer gave the Sixers a 48-45 lead.

In the end, star power wins

The Sixers started the second half poorly, allowing Utah to regain the lead, and then George got into serious foul trouble.

George was whistled for his fourth foul with 5:42 left in the third quarter. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse kept him in the game, which didn’t pay off at all. Seventeen seconds later, George scored his fifth personal goal while trying to grab a defensive rebound.

With both Embiid and George not on the field, the Sixers defense leaked a lot of points. Even with Reggie Jackson and Yabusele hitting threes off the bench, the Sixers were behind when their Big 3 were back on the court together.

Ultimately, her star power was crucial. Trailing by six points, the Sixers immediately got five straight points from Embiid in the post against Kessler.

Embiid made a key defensive play late when he intercepted a lob pass intended for Kessler. On the ensuing possession, Embiid stumbled to the ground but managed to get Maxey open in the corner. He scored a three-pointer and buried another massive three-pointer shortly after. The Sixers took a 110-108 lead on an Embiid elbow jumper assisted by Maxey.

Two successful Nurse challenges in the final minute helped the Sixers win, although George missed two late free throws and Markkanen hit a three-pointer that kept the tension going in the final seconds.

However, Maxey converted two foul throws, Embiid fended off a desperate long-range pass from Drew Eubanks and the Sixers extended their winning streak.